technicality

noun

tech·​ni·​cal·​i·​ty ˌtek-nə-ˈka-lə-tē 

plural technicalities

1

: something technical

especially : a detail meaningful only to a specialist

a legal technicality

2

: the quality or state of being technical

Examples of technicality in a Sentence

These cases were dropped because of legal technicalities.

Recent Examples on the Web

On technicalities alone, this looks like a serious choice for an electric enduro. —New Atlas, 21 May 2026

Doctors aren’t chasing paperwork late at night, and hospitals aren’t losing revenue over missing language or technicalities. —Fj Campbell, Fortune, 20 May 2026

Italy arrested but then released on a technicality one of the suspects, Ossama Anjiem, also known as Ossama al-Masri, in January, sparking outrage among human rights defenders. —ABC News, 19 May 2026

Regarding the OpenAI case, the judge & jury never actually ruled on the merits of the case, just on a calendar technicality. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 18 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

technical entry 1 + -ity

First Known Use

1764, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for technicality

• abnormality
• cardinality
• commonality
• communality
• cordiality
• corporeality
• criminality
• criticality
• functionality
• generality
• geniality
• hospitality

Kids Definition

technicality

noun

tech·​ni·​cal·​i·​ty ˌtek-nə-ˈkal-ət-ē 

plural technicalities

1

: something technical

especially : a detail that means something only to a specialist

a legal technicality

2

: the quality or state of being technical